Saturday, December 17, 2011

Manuel Cuevas, known around Nashville and the music and fashion worlds as simply "Manuel," is the man behind the fashinable attire of many a celebrity of their times.

Manuel and the celebrities he dressed

The Nashville designer, known for his exquisite embroidery and use of rhinestones and sequins, made Elvis Presley's gold lamé suit and his famous white jumpsuit, and he's the man who convinced Johnny Cash to dress in black. His clothes have draped Marilyn Monroe, Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, and, as he puts it, "three generations of Hank Williamses."

And yet for the dizzying constellation of stars who have stood for a Manuel fitting, he says he has only been genuinely awestruck once. "The Lone Ranger," Manuel says. "When I was growing up in Mexico, I walked an hour each way just to watch The Lone Ranger on television. I wanted to be him. So when I had the opportunity to make his outfit for the show, I was just thrilled to meet him. I didn't know what to say to him."